10 Of The Best Places To Discover Them
Set tasting menus offer several courses of small plates so you get to try lots of different mouthwatering dishes. They’re a great way to get a flavour of a restaurant, and are usually served at a lower price than the à la carte menu. If you’re planning a meal out that features some fabulous pretty food and oozes luxury, then you’ll want to check out the restaurants we’ve chosen as having a claim to the best tasting menu in London. However there’s no need to break the bank in order to enjoy an exquisite set menu – we tip you off to some more affordable options too. Read on and get ready to salivate!
1. Angelina
Angelina is a charming place in Dalston serving some of the best Italian-meets-Japanese food in London. They pay homage to these two nations while challenging perceptions about what Japanese- or Italian-inspired cuisine looks (and tastes) like!
Take your pick from the four-course omakase menu or the ten-course kaiseki menu – which is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal. Omakase is the Japanese word for ‘chef’s choice’ – you’ll never know what your next course might be, which makes every meal a delightful surprise! But don’t worry – if you have special dietary needs, give the team the heads-up in advance and they’ll do their best to accommodate your requirements. Take our advice and sign up for the wine pairing – the carefully selected tipples and each course complement together like a burger and fries.
You’ll find Angelina at 56 Dalston Lane, London, E8 3AH. Nearest station is Dalston Junction.
2. 12:51
If you’re looking for an affordable testing menu, then look no further than 12:51, a hidden gem in Islington headed up by chef James Cochran, winner of BBC’s ‘Great British Menu’ not once but twice. Vegetarians delight – one of the two five-course menus is created especially for you! They change regularly but always feature the freshest and most seasonal produce.
Both menus are well thought out, with the beautifully presented courses designed to build on each other. The drink pairing option will add an extra level to your meal. Expect to be tucking into exciting dishes inspired by James’ mixed Caribbean/Scottish heritage, and upbringing by the Kentish seaside. How do chilled courgette soup with goat’s cheese, or pork belly with BBQ pineapple, fennel and black garlic take your fancy?
You’ll find 12:51 at 107 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1QN. Nearest station is Angel.
3. Core by Clare Smyth
A must for any foodie, Core is a real contender for the title of best tasting menu in London. This fine-dining restaurant is all about natural, sustainable food produced in the UK. Each of the seven beautifully crafted courses showcases a regional product such as scallops from the Isle of Harris, Morecambe Bay shrimps or English cherries.
Northern-Irish-born Clare Smyth is the only female chef in Britain whose restaurant has received three Michelin stars. She’s won multiple awards including World’s Best Female Chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. She oversees an exceptional team that make Core not just a restaurant but an experience!
You’ll find Core by Clare Smyth at 92 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2PN. Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate.
4. A Wong
If you’re looking for an experience that will take your taste buds on a journey around China, head to A Wong for the ‘Taste of China’ dinner menu. Andrew Wong puts a unique spin on traditional Chinese cuisine. You can luxuriate in over three hours of delicious dishes like Chengdu street tofu with soy chilli and peanuts, Anhui province braised fermented seabass, and Yunnan seared beef with mint, chilli and lemongrass, to name but a few!
The dishes are small in size but there are lots to get through. So come hungry and be ready to embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure. The wines perfectly paired to match the dishes are an additional cost, but they’re worth every penny!
You’ll find A Wong, Pimlico at 70 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1DE. Nearest station is Victoria.
5. The Clove Club
The Clove Club in Shoreditch Town Hall is another hot contender for the best tasting menu in London, with not one but three to choose from. The shorter menu has six courses, and there’s a vegetarian version of the longer eight-course menu. The restaurant strives to deliver a dining experience that will really enrich your senses and really leave an impression on you.
Chef Isaac Mchale uses the best seasonal British ingredients to create modern, elegant dishes. Think Cornish lobster with gooseberry aguachile and berries, and Herdwick lamb with courgette, tomato and mint. Complete the fine-dining experience with the wine pairing menu.
You’ll find The Clove Club at 380 Old Street, Shoreditch Town Hall, London, EC1V 9LT. Nearest station is Old Street.
6. Perilla
From its relaxed, rusticated dining room in Newington Green, Perilla aims for a ‘modern interpretation of classical European flavours’. The set menu focuses on seasonal and local ingredients – it’s full of exciting dishes that change daily, so you’ll never get bored with the grub. Sunday’s simpler menu is a pared-back, more affordable option, delivering Perilla’s version of comfort food.
With its casual feel, this is a perfect spot for a relaxed family get-together or a catch-up with friends. You could even head here for date night if your idea of romance revolves around the simple things: just you and your partner in an unfussy, candlelit setting, enjoying delicious food.
You’ll find Perilla at 1-3 Green Lanes, Newington Green, London, N16 9BS. Nearest station is Canonbury.
7. Pidgin
Pidgin is a favourite with Londoners, and for good reason. This intimate neighbourhood restaurant has a simple mission – to serve a menu that changes every week, with nothing ever repeated! It punches well above its weight regarding creativity, and how could it not? It is the collaboration of a pop-up supper club chef and a food writer.
The set menu features inventive and tasty dishes. While you’ll never get the same meal twice, you can always expect seasonal British cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. Vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians can all be catered for, making this a great spot for a gathering of your besties with different diets.
You’ll find Pidgin at 52 Wilton Way, London, E8 1BG. Nearest station is Hackney Central.
8. Gauthier Soho
Gauthier Soho is a revolutionary restaurant that combines a fine-dining experience with a completely animal-free menu. The Michelin-starred restaurant is headed up by French chef Alexis Gauthier who is passionate about helping to create a plant-based food future. It was the first of its kind when it opened and became an instant hit with critics and diners alike!
The two set menus of five or eight courses feature classic French cuisine with a modern twist. Imagine Kouglof brioche with tomato, plant feta and pico de gallo, or barbecued kohlrabi with cucumber samphire. Gauthier Soho stands tall as a restaurant that offers a luxurious and cruelty-free tasting menu in London, but know that it’s not just for vegans – everyone will love it!
You’ll find Gauthier Soho at 21 Romilly Street, London, W1D 5AF. Nearest station is Leicester Square.
9. Restaurant Story
Telling a story through food, this Michelin-starred restaurant will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. At no point will you be handed a menu. Just take a seat, state if you’re vegetarian or not, and a series of ten courses will be delivered to your table, the staff telling you the story attached to each. We recommend that you invest in the wine and cocktail pairing, as these – along with the music playlist – round out the complete experience.
Restaurant Story is the brainchild of chef Tom Sellers, who creates quirky, unusual dishes with an emphasis on seasonal British produce. You never know what you’re going to get but we can promise you the experience will be memorable – so buckle up and enjoy the ride!
You’ll find Restaurant Story at 199 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2JX. Nearest station is London Bridge.
10. Muse by Tom Aikens
At Michelin-starred Muse, chef Tom Aikens gives French cuisine an English twist. The result? Exquisite dishes that’ll tantalise your taste buds, served up in an intimate converted mews house in Belgravia.
The menu reflects Tom’s life and career, with dishes inspired by moments and memories that he shares on the carte. Tom is passionate about using local, sustainable produce, that his globe-trotting crew of culinary architects transform into truly exceptional dining experiences.
You’ll find Muse by Tom Aikens at 38 Groom Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BA. Nearest station is Hyde Park Corner.
Get a real flavour of a restaurant’s essence on your next foodie trip by choosing a set menu. Select from these top ten spots with a tasting menu in London, that as you can see are well worth trying!
